Coin operated intermittent lighting device-automatic electric candle



Dec. 9, 1958 c. s. CAVALLERI 2,863,547

COIN OPERATED INTERMITTENT LIGHTING DEVICE-AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC CANDLE Filed June 14, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 46%. Z INVENTOR.

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1 COIN 0P ATED INTERMITTENT LIGHTING DEVICEAUTOMATIC ELECTRIC CANDLE Filed June 14, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. az'zemi'w C Y'PJYJJ T Z United States Patent O. f

COIN OPERATED INTERMITTENT LIGHTING' DEVICE'AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC CANDLE Charles G. Cavalleri, Brooklyn, N. Y. Application June 14, 1954, Serial No. 436,468

1 Claim. (Cl. 194-9) This invention relates to an electrically actuated intermittent lighting device designed to simulate paraffin candles used in churches.

For various environments, including churches, it is necessary to provide a lighting device which will emit light for a predetermined period of time and then automatically extinguish itself. Preferably such a device should be simple to operate, requiring a minimum of effort and equipment. With these objects in view, the instant device will, upon the insertion of a small object such as a coin or a token, immediately provide light for a calculated period of time, after which the light will immediately be extinguished automatically.

Consequently, the primary inventive object is the pro vision of an intermittent lighting device actuated by a coin which, when inserted into the device, will simultaneously energize an electric light and an electric motor which in turn drives a cam surface which maintains the energized electric circuit until the elapse of a predetermined period of time, when the cam surface will cause a break in the electric circuit, resulting in the cessation of light emission and motor stoppage.

A secondary inventive object is the provision of an intermittent lighting device actuated by the impact received from a falling coin, the actuation being effected by the movement of a series of spring biased levers causing the completion of an electric circuit, such completion energizing both a light bulb and a motor, said motor driving a retaining means for maintaining the completed circuit for a predetermined period, whereupon the retaining means will release and cause a break in the circuit, resulting in the, extinguishing of the light and the stoppage of the motor.

Other objects and inventive details will become apparent from the following detailed description and subjoined drawings in which:

Figure 1 depicts an elevation of the invention partially in section.

Figure 2 shows a bottom view of the wiring and lever arrangement of the automatic timing device.

Figure 3 shows an enlarged sectional elevation of th lever arrangement.

Figure 4 shows a schematic wiring diagram; and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the spring contact arm and cam carrying wheel.

Referring to Figure 1, it is seen that the device comprises the electric bulb 11 contained within the transparent shield 12 and mounted on top of surface 13a of the bracket 13. All above surface 13a is visible and all below is not visible.

The actuating mechanism 14 is contained within the hollow oval-shaped casing 17, which retains a cover (not shown) by means of holes 15 and 16 provided in cars of the casing 17. Casing 17 has three terminal screws 18,

19 and 34 extending through the wall 28 of the casing 17 for the purpose of attachment to the bracket 13. Bracket 13 carries the hot wire of an electric circuit by means of the cable 22 to the point where terminal screw 18 passes 2,863,547 Patented Dec. 9, 1958 through bracket 13, and also the ground wire of an electric circuit to the point where terminal screw 19 passes through bracket. 13. Therefore, line current is supplied to the mechanism 14 by conductors fastened to bracket 13 at points where terminal screws 18 and 19 pass through surface 13a. Terminal 34 fastened to bar 23 has connected to it on one side the motor and on the other side the light, and is not electrically energized unless in contact with spring contact arm 27 and the terminal 34 has at its lower end a contact knob 36. The spring contact arm 27 is the end of a three blade snap switch having a center blade 33' and two side blades 33. The other terminals of the light and motor are connected to the ground wire at 19. Brass U-shaped pivot 24 is securely fastened to casing 17 by rivets 29 and terminal screw 18. The spring contact arm 27 is constructed of beryllium spring copper,

and pivoted on pivot 24, allowing the cantilevered opposite end of 27 to move upward or downward. Brass pivots 32 are also provided for engagement with the rear ends of the blades 33. Also within the oval-shaped casing 17 is wheel 37 of non-conductive material, to which is fastened a cam 37' with the inclined surface 38. R0- ration of wheel 37 with the cam 37' for a predetermined period of time causes the surface 38 to bear on the spring arm 27. Motor M is a prime mover for operating wheel 37 through the shaft 39.

The apparatus which effects completion of the parallel motor and light circuit comprises the metal lever which has a horizontal arm 40 leading to a vertical arm 41 and then horizontally to a fulcrum point 42. The lever carries an upwardly extending, plastic knob 43.

Referring now to Figure 4, we see the schematic electric wiring circuit of the motor M and light L in parallel with each other and both in series with the switch SM.

In operation, the operator 0 drops the coin 44 into the slot 45 which overlies the lever arm 40, whereupon the impact from the coin causes the upward movement of knob 43 until the spring arm 27 is caused to make contact with terminal screw 34. Such contact with 34 immediately completes the circuit, causing simultaneous energizing of the parallel motor and light circuits. Thus, the operating motor M and the light having completed their circuits to ground at terminal 19, will be in operation. The motor causes the wheel 37 and the inclined surface 38 of the cam 37 to rotate a full revolution. During the fourth quarter of the revolution, the cam 37' engages the bottom face of the spring arm 27 and pressure is exerted upwardly on the spring arm 27. Upon completing the fourth quarter, the edge of the cam 37' releases the spring arm 27, thus causing the latter to spring downwardly and causing an immediate circuit break at terminal 34, thereby turning ofl current to the motor and light connected to 34. On the downward motion of 27, it comes to rest on knob 43, which has already descended to its normal position after being struck by the coin, whereupon the device is in the proper starting position for another coinoperated cycle.

It should be further noted that the spring arm 27, when deflected in either transverse direction beyond the horizontal position will remain in such deflected position until an external force is applied. During the rotation of surface 38, increased pressure is rapidly brought to bear against the cantilevered spring arm. Suddenly the pressure is removed when 38 departs from the spring arm. The downward reaction of knob 43 being instantaneously unopposed, will cause the spring arm 27 to move beyond the horizontal position downwardly to thus rest upon knob 43 for the next subsequent coin actuation.

Consequently, it is apparent that the instant device efficiently provides an intermittent light for predetermined time periods, a function well suited, for example, for use in churches as a paralfin candle substitute. It is quite apparent that the duration of the lighted time period can be regulated by customary means for controlling and regulating the motor or cam shaft speed. By replacing the parafiin candle, great savings are accomplished by the elimination of the necessity of painting sooted'walls; Moreover, since no resulting from the candle smoke. open flame is used, the fire hazard involved in candle utilization, is eliminated.

In addition to providing adequately the intended functions, it should be also noted that the construction is economical, easy. to install, and is compactly arranged, so that the commercial value is enhanced.

Be it also understood that the numerous variations attainable through changes in size, shape and material are all obviously contemplated within this inventive scope.

Having thus disclosed the nature and details of the invention, what is claimed is:

A coin operated apparatus forming a source of intermittent light, including the combination of an electric lamp, a supporting bracket therefor having electric terminals connected to an electric supply circuit, an elongated switch in the circuit movable between open and closed circuit positions for controlling the supply of electric current to the lamp, the switch having self-contained bias means for resisting movement of said switch from.

either position to the other position, an electric prime mover connected in said circuit and having one terminal thereof in common with one terminal of said lamp, the other terminals of the prime mover and lamp being connected to ground, a cam shaft with a wheel thereon mounted for rotation adjacent to one end of said switch,

a cam projecting rigidly upon the periphery of thewheel.

in effective position to extend and make contact beneath said one end of said switch solely during the latter half of each revolution of said cam to raise said one end of the switch so that said switch will snap to open position when the cam has passed from beneath the switch, said prime mover angularly rotating said cam shaft; a portion upon said coin operated apparatus having a coin slot therein, and coin operated means for closing said' switch and energizing said prime mover and effecting illumination of said lamp, comprising a rockable lever with one arm underlying said coinslot and another arm having a knob thereon located in such proximate association with said switch to effect movement thereof. from open circuit position to closed circuit position in response to rocking movement of said lever communicated thereto from external means.

References Cited in. the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 304,557 Pirnie Sept. 2, 1884 1,960,020 McGall May 22, 1934 2,150,509 Landrum Mar. 14, 1939 2,427,317 Wagner Sept. 9, 1947 2,538,358 'Farrell Jan. 16, 1951 2,551,730 Del Sol May 8, 1951 2,589,785 Edington Mar. 18, 1952 2,647,608 Dahlberg Aug. 4, 1953 2,658,168 Matson Nov. 3, 1953 

